California school district bosses face probe over $70K credit card binge on wine and treats just days before $205M bond vote

Four top school administrators in Paso Robles are under scrutiny for allegedly spending thousands of dollars in district funds on winery visits, lunches and merchandise — just as voters rejected a bond measure to hand over $205 million to the district.Between July 2023 and June 2026, the district-issued credit cards of the superintendent and three assistant superintendents were used to make personal purchases totaling a staggering $70,000, according to an investigative report by the Cal Coast News.The biggest news, opinion and culture shaping California right now.

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Never miss a story The news outlet said the four cards are only a fraction of the roughly 25 credit cards issued by the district.The largest tab belonged to Assistant Superintendent of Education Services Erin Haley.She charged a total of $110,433 to her card, including nearly $39,600 for technology and subscriptions that district policy says should go through purchase orders, the outlet reported.It also listed more than $10,000 in dining and catering, almost $3,000 at a local brewery and nearly $7,700 for a vendor that prints promotional T-shirts and similar items.Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Shauna Ames charged just under $37,000 on the district-issued credit card, with much of it spent on winery events, awards, entertainment and meals.A San Antonio Winery event tab topped $7,700, and gifts and awards came to more than $5,100, according to the Cal Coast News.Brad Pawlowski, the district’s Chief Business Officer and Assistant Superintendent, spent $90 at Sees Candy, along with restaurant, golf club and coffee charges locally.He also had 23 meal and drink charges paid in Bakersfield, near the state-funded Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team (FCMAT), where he consults on the side.

Since 2023, Pawlowski has made approximately $9...